Tweet Pin It Castles, castles, which country has the most castles? You’ll likely be surprised at the answer. Wales, that smidgen of land on the western edge of England, has more castles than any other country in Europe! Total castle numbers vary from over 500 to 641, depending on who you talk with, but either way, you won’t have to drive far between castles! Wales, the Castle Capital of the World – Top Castles to See With so many castles to ...

Tweet Pin It Ask most visitors to name Ireland’s first established city and most will answer “Dublin” without blinking an eye. And though Dublin is an old city – founded in 988 – it is 74 years younger than Ireland’s oldest city. Located in the south-eastern part of the country, the majority of people touring Ireland bypass the city, or stop only long enough to gaze at her most famous export. Happy 1100th Birthday to Ireland’s Oldest City – ...

Tweet Pin It Driving through Ireland is one of the best ways to see all of the hot spots and beautiful sites that the island has to offer. Plus, it gives you the freedom to travel wherever you’d like whether you’re alone or with a group of friends or family. Know you want to take a self-drive tour around Ireland but unsure of the best routes to hit? Have no fear! We’ve gathered up a list of the top self-drive routes to help you get the most...

Tweet Pin It Are you interested in traveling to Ireland and thinking of stopping by the country’s capital, Dublin, but don’t know what to do when you get there? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite ten things to do in Dublin. From activities to restaurants and bars, this list has a combination of the best Dublin has to offer! 10. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick’s Cathed...

Tweet Pin It I’m not sure why so many people think history is boring. Sure, a dull teacher can ruin any good story, but history, in the right setting is not only intriguing, but it is alive. You’ll be amazed at the history you can discover during a driving tour of Ireland. The lens of history is incredibly long in Ireland, stretching back to thousands of years BC, into the Neolithic period – or late Stone Age. Far from being dull, these attr...

Tweet Pin It I’ve been driving in Ireland for over a decade. It was only during my last trip to Ireland that I was told, “Americans don’t drive in Ireland, I think they are terrified.” This was told to me by a school teacher who lives in the Slieve Bloom Mountains as she shared a story about a visit from her California cousins. We had met her the night before at the Slieve Bloom Storytelling Festival and she had invited us to her school. It ...

Tweet Pin It I can remember a discussion I had with an “Ireland travel professional” back in 2008. I told her that I wanted to visit the far northern reaches of Donegal and then drive along the coast to the farthest southern destination. “No one does that,” she replied. “And, honestly, I don’t think anyone ever would.” So either I had incredible foresight, or she was just plain wrong. No matter how you look at it, Ireland’s newest initiative...

Tweet Pin It It’s not marked on any map. And if you ask about it, you’re likely to receive a blank stare. Yet most visitors touring Ireland drive through the Ballyhoura Region to reach the ‘Sunny Southwest,’ barely glancing out the window in their rush to reach the next stop on their itinerary. Stretching from just south of Limerick City through the northern part of County Cork, the region is named for the Ballyhoura Mountains that form a na...

Tweet Pin It We’ve all been there: You’re sitting at the airport, waiting to go on your Ireland vacation, watching the departures board, and you see that your flight’s been delayed. Only an hour – no big deal. But then after that hour, it’s delayed another hour, then another, then another, until finally you see the big CANCELLED sign next to your flight number. Don’t panic. If your flight is cancelled, there are ways to handle it that don’...

Tweet Pin It Ireland and pubs go together like fish and chips. You really can’t fully experience one without the other. Of course, Irish pubs and fish and chips go together quite nicely, too. Travelers tend to see the Irish pub as an adult experience, but it is a place your entire family is welcome and can enjoy. In fact, the ‘family pub crawl’ is something my daughters look forward to as much as my husband and I during our trips to Ireland...

Tweet Pin It Though often thought of as a destination for young people pub hopping or older travelers on a guided tour, Ireland should not be dismissed as a great destination for families. Filled with magic, castles, crisps, and chocolate, an Ireland family vacation offers plenty of fun for all ages. 10. The Irish National Stud Just 30 minutes from Dublin, the Irish National Stud is a must for any horse loving kid. The grounds are large and...